Artists featured this week include Redshift, IDK, Dragonfruit, Billy Woods, Penny Rich and Will.i.am.
THE BEST:
‘Entropy’ – Redshift
‘Entropy’ is the work of berserk Bath-based band Redshift.
It’s a prog metal rollercoaster of track (there’s literally a rollercoaster in
the music video) in which the narrator experiences an existential crisis.
Trying to briefly summarise this track is an almost impossible task as there
are so many twists and turns. Just to give you an idea of how thrillingly nuts
this track is, there’s a section where it goes into full-on black metal tremolo
guitars and blast beats, only to abruptly transition into jazzy elevator music (along
with the cartoonish announcement ‘next floor, self hatred’). The song comes off
their new album Laws of Entropy, which follows a man on downward spiral
from birth to death. If the whole album is as crazy as this, I need to hear it!
‘Rabbit Stew’ – IDK
Although I feel IDK is still yet to find his USP, it is
entertaining to hear a hip hop artist who is able to take on any sound as
expertly as this. ‘Rabbit Stew’ begins with some soulful singing and plush
Tyler-the-Creator-esque production. I was not expecting the jungle breakbeat percussion
at the end, nor was I expecting IDK to rap so energetically over the top of it.
The track comes off his new album F65.
‘Space Traveler’ – Dragonfruit ft. Hudson
I covered this Dutch neo-soul group’s single ‘Honeymoon
Phase’ a few weeks ago (the title track to their new EP). This track ‘Space
Traveler’ comes off the same EP and features guest vocalist Hudson. I’m loving
the gorgeous pillowy synths and kooky lyrics about escaping into space. I also
think that this may be the most feelgood song I’ve ever heard to contain a
eulogy.
‘Soft landing’ – Billy Woods & Kenny Segal
You can tell I need a holiday, because I’ve been gravitating
towards songs about flying away this week. ‘Soft Landing’ comes off the new joint
album Maps from rapper Billy Woods and producer Kenny Segal. The track
consists of breezily delivered poetry over fluttering guitars and jumbo bass,
complete with a sample of a pilot’s announcement from an Easyjet flight to help
you feel as if you’re soaring away.
‘Spirals’ – Penny Rich
Cardiff punk three-piece Penny Rich have a vicious sound that I’m really digging. The riffs are fuzzy and mean and the erratic vocal delivery has a Jello Biafra tone to it. The track comes off the band’s new album If Everyone’s An Expert…
THE WORST:
‘The Formula’ – Will.i.am ft. Lil Wayne
‘The Formula’ isn’t the most formulaic song I’ve heard from
Will.i.am, but it is still pretty awful. The hook is annoying and Lil Wayne’s
verse is pretty forgettable. This better not be the new Formula 1 theme!
